Saturday 16th August, 2025 at 10:10pm
Partick Thistle advanced to the League Cup quarter finals after a convincing 2-0 win over Ayr United at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill.
Thistle looked to return to winning ways in the Premier Sports Cup, a competition which has seen Mark Wilson’s side maintain a 100% record so far.
The Jags made two changes to the side that drew with Greenock Morton last week, with Cammy Logan making way for Ben McPherson who made his first start for the Harry Wraggs.
Ts’oanelo Lets’osa came into the starting line-up at the expense of Luke McBeth while striker Alex Samuel started on the bench, after signing earlier in the week.
There were familiar faces in the Ayr United line-up, with midfielder Stuart Bannigan and goalkeeper David Mitchell amongst their starting XI.
Bannigan was making his competitive debut for the Honest Men, and his first ever competitive game played whilst not on the books at Partick Thistle having left the club in the summer after 16 years of service.
Both teams started full of energy, with Thistle getting the upper hand in a high-tempo opening period.
On the ten minute mark, Aidan Fitzpatrick found his way through the Ayr defence. His effort cracked off the post, before Chalmers sliced the rebound and Ayr knocked it out for a corner.
The resultant corner ended in controversy as Tony Watt was first to it, heading towards goal. Upon closer inspection, the ball looked to have crossed the line before David Mitchell clawed it away, however, Aidan Fitzpatrick was judged to have impeded the ‘keeper from an offside position and the assistant’s flag was raised.
Ayr United suffered an early setback when Shaun Want was forced off with an injury. With four outfield players on the bench, Curtis Main came on to replace him.
Robbie Crawford, Ben Stanway and Tony Watt all came close as Thistle continued to press for the opener to no avail.
Mark Wilson’s men made a deserved breakthrough on 41 minutes. A corner from Chalmers was swung in towards the path of Dan O’Reilly at the back post and the defender looped a header past keeper Mitchell to give Thistle the lead.
Moments later, Stuart Bannigan turned back the clock with a crunching foul on Lets’osa which saw referee Ryan Lee reach for his pocket. Bannigan’s yellow card was greeted with nostalgic affection from the home faithful.
Seconds later, it was 2-0 Thistle. Logan Chalmers hit a thunderous effort from 25 yards out which flew in past David Mitchell. Tony Watt tried to claim it, citing a clip off him as it hurtled in, but the Dubious Goals Panel were giving it to Chalmers until Referee Ryan Lee confirmed after the game that it was Watt’s goal!
Half Time – Partick Thistle 2 Ayr United 0
After the restart, Thistle kept the pressure up, with Chalmers in particular looking to kill his former club off.
Cometh the hour, Chalmers slinked himself in on goal, only for former Jag David Mitchell to deny him, pawing his shot behind for a corner.
Aidan Fitzpatrick then went close, breaking through one-on-one, before sending his ball a shade wide of goal.
Fitzpatrick was unlucky not to earn a penalty when he was taken down inside the Ayr box, but referee Lee waved play on. Ayr immediately tried to catch Thistle on the counter, with Josh Clarke being forced to stop a good effort from striker George Oakley.
New signing Samuel soon made his debut, coming on for a cameo in place of Tony Watt fifteen minutes from time. Despite some good play, the Welshman was unable to open his Thistle account as the game petered out and the Jags ran out 2-0 winners.
Full Time – Partick Thistle 2 Ayr United 0
The Jags will hope to take confidence from the win when they travel up to Dingwall next Saturday to face Ross County for the second time in a month.
Shortly after the game, the draw for the Quarter Finals of the Premier Sports Cup was drawn, with Thistle drawing Celtic at home. The tie is due to be played on the weekend of September 20/21.
Partick Thistle: Josh Clarke; Patrick Reading, Lee Ashcroft, Daniel O’Reilly, Ben McPherson (Cammy Logan 66’); Robbie Crawford, Ts’oanelo Lets’osa (Matthew Falconer 85’), Ben Stanway, Logan Chalmers, Aidan Fitzpatrick (Stevie Lawless 72’); Tony Watt (Alex Samuel 72’).
Unused Substitutes: Lewis Budinauckas; Zander MacKenzie, Luke McBeth, Thomas Horn, Jamie Low.
Ayr United: David Mitchell; Dylan Watret, Nick McAllister, Shaun Want (Curtis Main 19’), Liam Dick; Dom Thomas, Stuart Bannigan (Marco Rus 58’), Kyle Ure, Jude Bonnar (Jake Hastie 46’); Mark McKenzie, George Oakley.
Unused Substitutes: Liam Russell; Matthew Warbrick.
Referee: Ryan Lee
Attendance: 3.124
By David Forrest
Today’s 50/ 50 Draw Results
First Prize – £645 – Ticket No. 252593
Second Prize – Chance to take part in crossbar challenge – Ticket No. 253515
